01
Check every medicine
Use Global DRO when a medicine is prescribed, changed or purchased over the counter.
Clean sport & player protection
Protect the game. Protect yourself.
Every player is responsible for what enters their body. Check medicines, understand supplement risk and know what to expect if you are selected for testing.
Clean sport starts with you
Know the rules. Make safe choices.
The Irish FA works with UK Anti-Doping to protect football in Northern Ireland. Anti-doping rules apply to players and player support personnel, and players can be tested in competition or out of competition.
02
Question supplements
No supplement can be guaranteed free of prohibited substances. Assess need, risk and consequences.
03
Know your TUE status
A prescription does not automatically permit the use of a prohibited substance in sport.
04
Co-operate with testing
Testing can happen without advance notice, at any time and in any place.
Before you take anything
Stop. Check. Ask.
Medicines and supplements can create anti-doping risk. Make these three checks part of your routine before taking a new product.
Search your medication
Use Global DRO and select football, the United Kingdom and the correct country of purchase. Save the reference from your search.
Open Global DRO ↗Check whether you need a TUE
If treatment contains a prohibited substance or method, use UKAD’s TUE Wizard and speak to your club doctor or medical professional.
Use the TUE Wizard ↗Assess supplement risk
Ask whether the supplement is needed, research the product and batch, and seek qualified nutrition or medical advice before use.
UKAD supplements hub ↗The rule every player must know
Strict liability means you are responsible.
You are solely responsible for any prohibited substance you use, attempt to use or that is found in your system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was an intention to cheat.
Advice from a teammate, coach, doctor, pharmacist or supplier does not remove your personal responsibility to check.
100%
Your body. Your responsibility.
- Prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter products
- Supplements, powders and drinks
- Herbal and “natural” products
- Substances supplied by somebody else
The testing process
Any time. Any place.
Testing may take place in competition or out of competition, including at matches, training venues or an athlete’s home. Testing is normally conducted with no advance notice.
Read UKAD testing guidance ↗Notification
A Doping Control Officer or Chaperone identifies you and explains that you have been selected.
Report for testing
Follow the instructions given and report to the Doping Control Station. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
Provide a sample
You may be asked to provide urine, blood or both. You have rights and responsibilities throughout the process.
Seal and document
Check the sample kit, seal your sample and review the Doping Control Form before signing.
Laboratory analysis
The sealed sample is sent securely to a WADA-accredited laboratory for analysis.
Manage the biggest risks
Supplements and medical treatment.
Two common routes to an accidental anti-doping violation are contaminated supplements and failing to check whether a medicine requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
Supplements
No supplement is completely risk free.
Products may contain prohibited substances that are missing from the label, present through contamination or sold under unfamiliar ingredient names.
UKAD recommends assessing the need, risk and consequences before use. Batch-tested certification can reduce risk, but it cannot remove it completely.
Manage supplement risk ↗Therapeutic Use Exemptions
Medical need does not remove the need to check.
A TUE may allow an athlete to use an otherwise prohibited substance or method for genuine therapeutic purposes while continuing to compete.
Requirements vary according to the medication, sport and competition level. Use UKAD’s official tool to understand whether, when and where to apply.
Medicine and TUE hub ↗More than a positive test
Anti-doping rule violations.
A violation can involve more than the presence of a prohibited substance. Players and support personnel should understand the wider rules and seek advice immediately if concerned.
A prohibited substance, metabolite or marker in a player’s sample.
Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method.
Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection.
Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of Doping Control.
Possession of prohibited substances or prohibited methods.
Trafficking, attempted trafficking, administration or attempted administration.
Assisting, encouraging, covering up or another form of intentional complicity.
Prohibited association with certain ineligible support personnel.
Acts that discourage reporting or retaliate against somebody who reports concerns.
Use official sources
Essential anti-doping resources.
Rules, lists and product statuses can change. Use these official services rather than relying on screenshots, old advice or somebody else’s previous search.
Medication checker
Global DRO
Check the anti-doping status of medicines purchased in the United Kingdom.
Check a medicine ↗ Athlete guidanceUK Anti-Doping
Official clean-sport information for athletes at every level.
Visit UKAD ↗ Current listWADA Prohibited List
View the substances and methods prohibited in and out of competition.
View the List ↗ Northern Ireland footballIrish FA Anti-Doping
Football-specific anti-doping rules, education and supporting information.
Visit Irish FA ↗ Risk managementUKAD Supplements Hub
Understand contamination risk and how to make an informed assessment.
Manage the risk ↗ Player-focused advicePFA Anti-Doping
Practical guidance written for professional footballers.
Visit The PFA ↗Quick answers
Frequently asked questions.
These answers provide general guidance. For a decision about a specific medicine, treatment or supplement, use the linked official tools and speak to qualified medical staff.
Can I take cold and flu medicine?
Do not assume it is permitted. Products with similar names can contain different active ingredients, and formulations can change. Search the exact product on Global DRO, selecting football and the correct country of purchase.
Can a prescribed medicine be prohibited?
Yes. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can contain prohibited substances. Check each medicine and use the UKAD TUE Wizard where necessary.
Can I refuse a drug test?
Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection may itself be an anti-doping rule violation. Follow the instructions given and raise any concerns during the process.
Can supplements lead to a positive test?
Yes. Supplements can be contaminated or inaccurately labelled. No supplement can be guaranteed completely free from prohibited substances.
Does using a batch-tested product remove the risk?
No. Independent batch testing can reduce risk but does not eliminate it. Record the exact product and batch and retain evidence of your research.
Who is responsible for what enters my body?
You are. Under strict liability, the athlete is responsible for prohibited substances used, attempted to be used or found in their system, regardless of intent.
Ask before you take anything
Unsure? Speak to PFA NI.
Contact PFA NI or your club’s qualified medical staff before taking a medicine or supplement if you are uncertain. It is always better to ask early than deal with a preventable anti-doping issue later.
This page is general information and is not a substitute for official anti-doping rules, medical advice or individual legal advice. Always use the latest guidance from UKAD, WADA and the Irish FA.